Recently I started noticing a stray cat that is coming every evening near my house and sitting by the trash boxes. I know that stray cats are quite rare for Japan, however still believe its not perfect and there are some out there, including this one. So, of course sometimes I out some food there, not every day, but like 2-3 times a week. But I have a concern because the winter season is coming and whether this cat will be able to handle it on its own? I know cats are pretty good at survival, but still. Is there any organization that shelters stray cats? If there is, what is the name of such place?
10 comments
I think it’s difficult to find such an organization in Japan. You can find those who are willing to care her on this kind of “classified” for cats. But it’s not easy because there are so many stray cats on the site.
[https://jmty.jp/all/pet-kw-%E9%87%8E%E8%89%AF%E7%8C%AB#](https://jmty.jp/all/pet-kw-%E9%87%8E%E8%89%AF%E7%8C%AB#)
>I know that stray cats are quite rare for Japan
??? Stray cats are incredibly prevalent what?
There’s whole islands and other tourist traps filled with nothing but stray cats.
Crazy neighbors have gotten into violent disputes over stray cats.
Stray cats are literally everywhere and for the most part it’s really bad to be taking care of them if you have no means to actually take the cat in. They piss/spray everywhere, kill local bird populations etc. and can cause lots of problems for the surrounding area. Lots of neighbors hate it but on the flip side you get some people who absolutely live for taking care of the strays. Hence violent disputes and just disputes in general. Often between the elderly.
As for the cat being able to handle it’s own? Yes. Japan has an insanely high stray cat population and they seem to manage well year after year.
Stray cats are not rare here. Quite the opposite. Loads of them everywhere. I have currently three that we rescued from “the wild”, haha.
Maybe you can try to contact the “Japan Cat Network.” They may be able to point you in the right direction.
Can you see if it’s a boy cat that still has its nuts? If so, trapping it and paying for it to be neutered then releasing it back into the wild is the best thing you can possibly do for it besides taking it off the streets altogether (which would be the best option to reduce both more baby strays and also bird and other small mammal murders).
It’s a cheap quick and easy procedure to neuter males. Sterilizing females is also worthwhile if it’s a girl puss, but it is more expensive, and a longer healing process…
It’s been shown that neutered strays (particularly males) being put out in wild populations really help keep numbers down cos any non-neutered strays waste energy/time mating with duds 🙂
Does the cat have a triangular notch cut into its ear?
Does the cat have a notable, triangle shaped chip in their ear? If so, that’s an indicator that they’re a trap-neuter-release. I live in Tokyo and there are strays everywhere here, there are even a couple of elderly ladies who feed an orange and a calico at my local “park” (patch of dirt and a public restroom). I’ve seen another comment mention Japan Cat Network and I definitely agree that’s where you should start.
If you want to help it, trap it and get it spayed/neutered. Then let it go and feed it as often as you’d like.
Stray cats are everywhere. Are you quite sure you’re in Japan?
Maybe make it a wee shelter (box with a blanket) near the trash box and feed it during the winter.
Stray cats are far too common in Japan. Do not feed it or do other things to attract it. Cats commonly kill other animals (including other cats) and keep other animals away.
Even if it has been captured and neutered—look for a notched ear—it will still be a problem for the neighborhood.